Using A Public Adjuster For An Insurance Claim
By guest blogger Michael H. Wrigley
Liberty Public Adjusters LLC
Most people believe that as long as you have insurance, everything is taken care of in the event of a loss. Unfortunately, that is not the case. After a disaster, it is the policyholder’s responsibility to protect the property from further damage, assess the building and contents damage, and when necessary, take a full inventory.
It is then the policyholder’s responsibility to prepare and present a detailed claim to the insurance company, or simply trust the insurance company’s adjuster to write a fair and reasonable estimate. One problem is, after a disaster, the insured may not be emotionally capable or prepared to file a thorough claim.
Claims can often include extra expenses such as emergency repairs, inspections, code upgrades, and additional living expenses to name a few. Most people never read their policies and also do not know they can request a cash advance from the insurance company when a substantial loss is suffered.
Insurance companies have emergency service teams, field adjusters, building engineers, claim managers, and supervisors. While their jobs are to assess the claim and the insured’s damages, each of their jobs primary goal is really to minimize losses and claim settlements which in turn protects the insurance company’s interest and minimizes the impact to the insurance company.
Not enough of the public understands how a public adjuster can help by representing the policyholder exclusively. Policy holders who are insurance-educated immediately contact a public adjuster to help them put the pieces back together as quickly and painlessly as possible because they know we spend every single day working with property damage and reading policies.
Public adjusters are well versed in the language of construction, policies, and insurance, which gives them an advantage when a claim begins.
A good public adjuster will meet the policyholder at the loss site immediately, and begin procedures for temporary housing, cash advances, securing property from further damage, debris removal, and so on.
From the onset of the claim, the public adjuster reviews the policy in detail to evaluate all possible monetary compensation under the guidelines of the policy. He or she then assesses damages by completing a detailed inventory of both building damage and contents, then meets with the insurance company representatives, and presents a thorough picture of the claim to the insurance company.
Typically, public adjusters utilize a team of building experts, inventory specialists, emergency service personnel, and other professionals who can expedite the claim process. Their knowledge gives them the ability to shorten the time before settlement and increase the settlement amount. The fee for this valuable service usually amounts to a percentage of the settlement, payable at the completion of the process, only after the insured is compensated by the insurance company.
Most states require licensing of public adjusters by the State Department of Insurance, which New Jersey and Pennsylvania both require.
Whether you are unsure if you have a covered loss or don’t know if we can help you – call us for a free consultation and review of your policy!
Give us a call as soon as damage occurs, 24/7 and yes, even on holidays.
We are licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Michael H. Wrigley / Liberty Public Adjusters LLC
609-289-1169 cell / 800-223-7010 office
The list below is what not to say when talking to an insurance company. If you do talk to them, answer all questions with as minimal words as possible, such as Yes or No. If they require additional information they will ask. It is ok to say, I don’t know.
Words NOT to use when speaking to your insurance company about a claim:
Back Up – not covered. Could lead to a denial. When a pipe clogs or breaks it "Fills Up" or causes an "Accidental Discharge" or "Overflow".
Flood – Some people refer a water loss as a flood. My kitchen flooded from a pipe burst. A flood is outside water penetrating the house. A flood requires a specific flood policy.
Repetitive Problem – Repetitive issues are not covered. Seen or unseen. Policies usually read, "Constant or Repeated seepage over a period of weeks, months, or years whether known or unknown is not covered". NOTE - "WEEKS" starts at the 8th day (start of the 2nd week).
**Do not use words like: rot, decay, mold, fungus, etc., as these words are typically caused by "Constant and repeated seepage"
Bad Workmanship - Denied. Unless you are a certified professional in what you think is "Faulty, inadequate or defective", or what you believe is Bad workmanship....BE QUIET. Your opinion could cost you dearly!!!
Vacant – A house is not vacant if temporarily unoccupied. A vacant house is not covered.
**If you have a 2nd home that is temporarily unoccupied, YOU MUST MAINTAIN HEAT, and be able to prove it (Gas bill, Oil receipts, Electric bills (if applicable))
Above all, if you are not a certified, qualified professional in whatever you wish to comment on, then don't make any comments. Saying "I don't know" is much easier than fighting a denial because you wanted to sound like you knew what you were talking about!!
